Updated May 4, 2024
It has been just over one week since the tornado outbreak in Nebraska and Iowa. Beginning in the immediate aftermath of the storm, Red Cross disaster workers have mobilized to help neighbors affected by the recent storms.
Volunteers are continuing to distribute Emergency Relief Supplies to help residents with clean-up efforts. The relief items include rakes, shovels, trash bags, work gloves and cleaning supplies. To date, nearly 3,000 relief items have been distributed to more than 550 households.
Along with the relief supplies, volunteers have delivered meal kits, with a variety of food items to help families in the initial days after the tornadoes. Nearly 450 meal kits have been provided.
Additionally, volunteers are wrapping up assessment of the residential damage in affected communities to better understand what help families may need in the days and weeks ahead. While the current focus is on addressing the immediate needs of those affected, the Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the weeks and months after a disaster.
The Red Cross remains in contact with local officials across the impacted areas to evaluate the needs of the residents.
The shelters that opened in the aftermath of the storm have closed as residents identified other lodging options. Red Cross emergency shelters are designed to meet the immediate, short-term needs of impacted residents until long-term efforts can get underway.
Residents affected by the storms can receive assistance by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
DONATING
You can make a difference in the lives of people affected by disasters by donating to support Disaster Relief. To donate, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text REDCROSS to 90999. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance.
We are grateful to all who want to help following these storms by donating food or goods. We are not able to take donations of this kind at this time as our volunteers are focused on addressing residents’ immediate needs and assessing impacts to the community.
VOLUNTEERING
Many people have expressed interest in volunteering to support our response efforts, and we are appreciative of the offers to assist. At this time our trained Red Cross Volunteers are working this series of emergencies across Nebraska and Iowa. If you would like to become a trained Red Cross volunteer – you can complete an application at www.redcross.org/volunteer. The application process can take a few days and requires your authorization for a Background Check. Once your Red Cross application is complete, you will be contacted about your volunteer interest and referred to the appropriate department for necessary training.